I played through the 3D FFIV version on DS a few years ago and had a rather good time.

Final Fantasy IV is still very much an NES style RPG, besides introducing the ATB. The series didn't feel truly 16-bit until FFV. FFIV has great characters and a decent story, but the gameplay and dungeon design is pretty much 8-bit. It just feels like a game made very early on in the generation, which is exactly what it was.

I haven't played FF IV since I got it for SNES and it's still burned in my mind. My whole family played that game. My dad played it and that's the only console game he has ever played. I can't remember why but I never played VI. Maybe because Mystic Quest was so bad (that, I remember). I think I remember also disliking sci-fi or steampunk which is maybe one of the reasons why I only ever watched other people playing the later games until FF XII (which is oddly enough more in line with FF 2 (IV) in the type of fantasy it is.

Final Fantasy IV is still very much an NES style RPG, besides introducing the ATB. The series didn't feel truly 16-bit until FFV. FFIV has great characters and a decent story, but the gameplay and dungeon design is pretty much 8-bit. It just feels like a game made very early on in the generation, which is exactly what it was.

What's wrong with 8-bit dungeon design? Anyways, Schala had some neat insights on FF4 dungeons in the anniversary thread, you just have to dig through some weirdo nonsense about Batman or something first haha.

Originally Posted by Esura

Why don't they make many Nomura books as much as they do Amano's?

Dear god in heaven let's not start this line of conversation, Aeana protect us!

What's wrong with 8-bit dungeon design? Anyways, Schala had some neat insights on FF4 dungeons in the anniversary thread, you just have to dig through some weirdo nonsense about Batman or something first haha.

There's nothing wrong with the design, it's just that the game ends up being completely on rails as a result of the storytelling and having no way to control the character's growth or abilities... you end up playing the same game every time with no variation. The dungeons themselves are probably the best part, which is weird for a game that was intended to usher in the next era of Final Fantasy on consoles when the most interesting aspect is taken straight from the previous three games.

There's nothing wrong with the design, it's just that the game ends up being completely on rails as a result of the storytelling and having no way to control the character's growth or abilities... you end up playing the same game every time with no variation. The dungeons themselves are probably the best part, which is weird for a game that was intended to usher in the next era of Final Fantasy on consoles when the most interesting aspect is taken straight from the previous three games.

Yeah, this I totally understand. If character progression and customization is important to you, you're not going to get what you need out of FF4.